Spreading A Love for God and His Glory December 30, 2018 He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness. By his wounds you have been healed. 1 Peter 2:24
Our worship is a response to God s initiative. The pattern of our worship reflects the gospel. WELCOME & ANNOUNCEMENTS *CALL TO WORSHIP: Isaiah 61:10-11 Leader: I will greatly rejoice in the LORD; my soul shall exult in my God, for he has clothed me with the garments of salvation; he has covered me with the robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom decks himself like a priest with a beautiful headdress, and as a bride adorns herself with her jewels. All: For as the earth brings forth its sprouts, and as a garden causes what is sown in it to sprout up, so the Lord GOD will cause righteousness and praise to sprout up before all the nations. Praise the LORD! *COME AND WORSHIP Angels from the realms of glory Wing your flight o'er the earth. Ye who sang creations story Now proclaim Messiah's birth. Come and worship, come and worship, come and worship, Worship Christ the newborn King. Shepherds in the fields abiding Watching o'er the flocks by night. God with man is now residing Yonder shines the infant light (Chorus 2x) Saints before the altar, bending, Watching, long in hope and fear. Suddenly the Lord descending in His temple shall appear. (Chorus 2x) - 2 -
*WHAT A BEAUTIFUL NAME You were the Word at the beginning, one with God the Lord Most High Your hidden glory in creation, now revealed in You our Christ What a beautiful name it is, what a beautiful name it is The name of Jesus Christ my King What a beautiful name it is, nothing compares to this What a beautiful name it is, the name of Jesus So great a love poured out upon us When Jesus You brought heaven down My sin was great Your love was greater What could separate us now What a wonderful name it is, what a wonderful name it is The name of Jesus Christ my King What a wonderful name it is, nothing compares to this What a wonderful name it is, the name of Jesus What a wonderful name it is, the name of Jesus Call to Worship Worship begins with God who invites us and welcomes us into his presence. Because of Christ, we can approach God with boldness even though we are sinful and weak. Death could not hold You, the veil tore before You You silence the boast of sin and grave The heavens are roaring, the praise of Your glory For You are raised to life again You have no rival, You have no equal Now and forever God You reign Yours is the kingdom, Yours is the glory Yours is the Name above all names What a powerful name it is, what a powerful name it is The name of Jesus Christ my King What a powerful name it is, nothing can stand against What a powerful name it is, the name of Jesus (3x) - 3 - *Indicates when to stand. All Music Copied Under CCLI License #34680
*PRAYER OF PRAISE *O COME, O COME EMMANUEL - Hymn #194, vs. 1, 3-5 O come, O come, Emmanuel, and ransom captive Israel, That mourns in lonely exile here Until the Son of God appear Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel Shall come to thee, O Israel O come, thou Rod of Jesse, free thine own from Satan's tyranny; From depths of hell thy people save And give them victory o'er the grave O come, thou Dayspring from on high and cheer us by thy drawing nigh; Disperse the gloomy clouds of night And death's dark shadows put to flight O come, thou Key of David, come and open wide our heav'nly home; Make safe the way that leads on high And close the path to misery - 4 -
COMMON CONFESSION OF SIN SCRIPTURE OF EXHORTATION: Romans 2:1 Therefore you have no excuse, O man, every one of you who judges. For in passing judgment on another you condemn yourself, because you, the judge, practice the very same things. All: Righteous and Holy Sovereign, save me from myself, from the deceits of my sin, from the treachery of my perverse nature, from denying your charge against my offenses, from a life of continual rebellion against you; for I know that all my thoughts, affections, desires, and pursuits are easily alienated from you. Father of my spirit, King of my life, drive me not from your presence, but wound my heart that it may be healed, break it so that your own hand may make it whole. Amen. (Adapted from prayer in Valley of Vision) SILENT CONFESSION OF SIN DECLARATION OF GRACE: Revelation 21:3-4 And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them as their God. He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away. Call to Confession We all sin daily, in thought and word and deed. As we come into God s presence, we acknowledge how we have rebelled against our King and seek his forgiveness. - 5 -
*BEFORE THE THRONE OF GOD ABOVE Before the throne of God above I have a strong and perfect plea, a great High Priest whose name is Love, who ever lives and pleads for me. My name is graven on his hands, My name is written on his heart; I know that while in heav'n he stands no tongue can bid me thence depart, no tongue can bid me thence depart. Offering We give back to God a portion of what he has given us to use to declare that he is Lord of all. (This is part of our service as a church family, and visitors should not feel obligated to participate.) When Satan tempts me to despair, and tells me of the guilt within, upward I look and see him there who made an end of all my sin. Because the sinless Savior died, my sinful soul is counted free; for God the Just is satisfied to look on him and pardon me, to look on him and pardon me. Behold him there! The risen Lamb, my perfect, spotless righteousness; the great unchangeable I AM, the King of glory and of grace! One with himself I cannot die, my soul is purchased by his blood; my life is hid with Christ on high, with Christ, my Savior and my God, with Christ, my Savior and my God. OFFERTORY & RESPONSE Reminder: please sign and pass the Attendance Register down the pew. 11 a.m. Service: Children ages 4-6 excused for Children s Church (downstairs in the Corner Classroom) - 6 -
O HOLY NIGHT O holy night the stars are brightly shining It is the night of our dear Savior's birth Long lay the world in sin and error pining Till He appeared and the soul felt its worth A thrill of hope the weary world rejoices For yonder breaks a new and glorious morn Fall on your knees O hear the angel voices O night divine O night when Christ was born O night O holy night O night divine Led by the light of faith serenely beaming With glowing hearts by His cradle we stand So led by light of a star sweetly gleaming Here came the wise men from Orient land The King of kings lay thus in lowly manger In all our trials born to be our Friend He knows our need to our weakness is no stranger Behold your King before Him lowly bend Behold your King before Him lowly bend Truly He taught us to love one another His law is love and His gospel is peace Chains shall He break for the slave is our brother And in His name all oppression shall cease Sweet hymns of joy in grateful chorus raise we Let all within us praise His holy name Christ is the Lord O praise His name forever His power and glory evermore proclaim His power and glory evermore proclaim - 7 -
Advent: The Coming of the Son of Righteousness Pastor Lloyd Pierson, Ph.D. The Way of Righteousness - 1 Peter 2:21-25 (ESV) 21 For to this you have been called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you might follow in his steps. 22 He committed no sin, neither was deceit found in his mouth. 23 When he was reviled, he did not revile in return; when he suffered, he did not threaten, but continued entrusting himself to him who judges justly. 24 He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness. By his wounds you have been healed. 25 For you were straying like sheep, but have now returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls. I. The Way of Jesus Sermon Outline - 8 -
Sermon Outline, continued II., The Way of following Jesus Sermon God addresses and speaks to us by the reading and preaching of his Word. Both Christians and non-christians need to hear the good news of salvation and grow in it. Sermon Questions 1. Why do you think Christianity was referred to as The Way early on? (cf. Acts 9:2, Acts 19:9,23; Acts 24:14, 22) 2. The context of this section refers to how Christian slaves are to live. In what way does Peter expand this to all believers? 3. Peter interprets Isaiah 53 as a reference to Jesus not so much as a proof text but as an explanation. How does Peter invite us to understand our experience of suffering in light of Jesus, the Suffering Servant? 4. The word example (v-21) refers to tracing over a pattern. How are we to trace ourselves over the pattern that Jesus sets before us? What is a particular challenge you have tracing your life over the life of Jesus? 5. In v-25, righteousness has the understanding of living according to God s will. What does Peter tells us that looks like? How does doing this put us both in the world and out of the world? - 9 -
The Lord s Supper The gospel is not only heard, but visibly seen as God invites us to commune with him at his table. In the Lord s Supper we remember and experience Jesus saving work. *THE CHURCH S ONE FOUNDATION The church s one foundation is Jesus Christ, her Lord; she is his new creation by water and the Word: from heav n he came and sought her to be his holy bride; with his own blood he bought her, and for her life he died. Elect from ev ry nation, yet one o er all the earth, her charter of salvation one Lord, one faith, one birth; one holy name she blesses, partakes one holy food, and to one hope she presses, with ev ry grace endued. Mid toil and tribulation, and tumult of her war, she waits the consummation of peace forevermore; till with the vision glorious her longing eyes are blest, and the great church victorious shall be the church at rest. Yet she on earth hath union with God the Three in One, and mystic sweet communion with those whose rest is won: O happy ones and holy! Lord, give us grace that we, like them, the meek and lowly, on high may dwell with thee. CELEBRATION OF THE LORD S SUPPER Wine is located in the two outer rings; juice is located in the center ring. (See FCC observance on below) PRAYER FOR THE CONGREGATION At Faith Covenant, the Lord s Supper is observed each Lord s Day as the climax of our worship service. We invite to the Lord s Table all those who are baptized disciples of Jesus Christ, under the authority of Christ and His body, the Church. By eating the bread and drinking the cup with us as a visitor, you are acknowledging to our church that you are in covenant with God. You also acknowledge that you are a sinner, without hope except in the sovereign mercy of God, and that you are trusting in Jesus Christ alone for your salvation. If you have any doubts about your participation, please speak to the pastor or one of the elders after the service. Wine and bread are the elements of the supper as instituted by Jesus Christ. We recommend the use of wine; however we offer both juice and wine in the tray to allow true liberty of conscience. - 10 -
*ALL GLORY BE TO CHRIST Should nothing of our efforts stand, no legacy survive Unless the Lord does raise the house, in vain its builders strive To you who boast tomorrow s gain, tell me what is your life A mist that vanishes at dawn, all glory be to Christ All glory be to Christ our king, All glory be to Christ His rule and reign we ll ever sing, All glory be to Christ His will be done His kingdom come, on earth as is above Who is Himself our daily bread, praise Him the Lord of love Let living water satisfy, the thirsty without price We ll take a cup of kindness yet, all glory be to Christ When on the day the great I Am, the faithful and the true The Lamb who was for sinners slain, is making all things new Behold our God shall live with us, and be our steadfast light And we shall e're his people be, all glory be to Christ Benediction Just as worship begins with God s call, it ends with God sending us into the world with his word of grace. We go forth to live and serve by the power of his grace, not our own strength. *BENEDICTION If you are in need of personal prayer, an elder is available up front after the service. Leaders & Staff Senior Pastor Lloyd Pierson, Ph.D. Staff: Kristin Bay, Hanni Hanson, Carlynn Stahlberg, Kelly Brown, Sara Motley (Nursery) Elders: Tim Anderson, Grady Bennett (sabbatical), Tom Jentz, Trent Neumann, Don Olmsted, Matt Riley, Micah Tinkham Deacons: Terry Falk, Kyle Hanson, Micah Hill, Ryan Petersen, Mike Stahlberg, Bruce Tulloch, Phil Van Duyne Music Director: Bekah Marsh To be added to church enews, and prayer lists, please contact us at office@faithcov.com. For more about Faith Covenant and the Presbyterian Church in America, go to faithcov.com. - 11 -
LOCAL OR REGIONAL MINISTRY TO PRAY FOR: Bible Study Fellowship MISSIONARIES TO PRAY FOR: Pray for Kevin and Sarah Johnson ministering, writing and teaching in Guatemala with United World Mission. SUNDAY SCHOOL: Sunday School for all ages will resume Jan. 6. Pastor Lloyd will begin a new class for adults in the sanctuary on Exodus: The Forming of a Nation. COMMITTEE CHAIRS: Please remember to have your Annual Meeting reports turned into the church office by December 31. Our annual church meeting and soup supper will be Wednesday, Jan. 23. NEW 33 MEN S GROUP: A new 33 Series, Volume 4, for men starts Wednesdays, Jan. 2, at 6 a.m. Then 33 Series Volume 2 will begin Thursdays, Jan. 3, at 6 a.m. Sign up for either class in the foyer or contact Rik Goodell (890-1973) with questions. YOUNG ADULT CHRISTMAS PARTY: College/Young Adult annual Christmas Lefse & Games Party at the Andersons! Sunday, Dec. 30, at 6 p.m. Bring an appetizer to share and a friend! Contact Kate with questions (270-7836 225 Terrace Road, Kalispell). WOMEN S SMALL GROUPS: Check out the sign ups in the foyer for opportunities to connect with the women of Faith Covenant this winter. Gloria Johnson will lead a group on Satisfy My Thirsty Soul by Linda Dillow; and Susie Sullivan will lead a group on None Like Him by Jen Wilkin both starting Wednesday, Jan. 16. Watch future bulletins for Moms Helping Moms group meeting dates and times. Sign up in the foyer or contact Kristin Bay with questions (249-2411). COMMUNITY KITCHEN FEEDING THE FLATHEAD: Those of you who are volunteering with Feed the Flathead will serve next on Thursday, Jan. 10, at Central Christian. Contact Dawn Tinkham for details (208-640-6060). SERVING: December Deacon - Kyle Hanson Today (1st service/2nd service) Ushers: Nick & Hanni Hanson/Scott & Sue Richardson Children s Church: Sharon Salyer Early Nursery: S. Thompsons Late Nursery: Clarks Fellowship Hosts: Carolyn Duncan & Alyssa Hobus Communion Prep/Cleanup: Barb Makowski/Jeanie Brenneman Next Sunday January 6th Ushers: Gary & Barb Fenner/ Help needed Children s Church: Sharon Salyer Early Nursery: C. Hanson Late Nursery: Longeneckers Fellowship Hosts: Eileen Pierson & Kate Anderson Communion Prep/Cleanup: Gloria Hanson/Hanni Hanson WEEKLY/MONTHLY Worship Services Sundays 8:15 & 11 am Sunday School Sept.-May 10 am Music Practice Tuesdays 5:30 pm Elder/Deacon Meeting 3rd Tuesdays 7 pm Youth Groups Sept. May Wednesdays 7 pm Vespers 2nd Sundays 6:30 pm Elizabeth Women Group 2nd & 4th Tuesdays Faith Covenant Church - 611 Third Ave. East, Kalispell, MT 59901-406-752-2400 - www.faithcov.com